What action did you take to avoid the dinosaurs on your way to work this morning?

You probably gave no thought to dinosaurs this morning. You probably think I’m a little weird for suggesting you should have thought about dinosaurs this morning. Because you probably don’t think there really are any dinosaurs alive in our world today, much less roaming the streets here in north Georgia.

The fact that you are convinced that dinosaurs don’t currently live in our world is demonstrated by the fact that you don’t routinely think about them. In exactly the same way, the other actions you take or actions that you don’t take are demonstrations of what you really believe.

The things we actually believe are often not the things we say we believe. Rather, the things we actually believe are the things we routinely and spontaneously act on; the things we usually do without thinking about them.

For example: I might say that I believe the Bible is God’s rule or guide for my life. But if I never read the Bible, and never consult the Bible, my actions demonstrate that I don’t really believe it is a valid guide for my life. Similarly, I might profess to believe that God is love and that He always acts from a motivation of love. But, if I rail at God or blame God or accuse God when things don’t go my way, my actions show that I really believe that God may have some other motive; that I do not believe God always acts in love towards me. Many people say they don’t believe in God, but spontaneously cry out to Him in emergencies or times of great need.

We all live in a culture that teaches us that certain values are good and necessary. In order to be accepted, we learn those expected values and we usually profess to believe them. When asked to tell others our beliefs and values, we most often say those things that are expected of us. We know what is acceptable, and we profess to believe just that.

But what we really believe shows up in our actions. Every time. Without fail.

With that in mind, perhaps we should check some of our beliefs:

Do I love God?

Do I love my spouse?

Am I thankful for God’s provision in my life?

Do I trust God to meet my needs?

Am I thankful for the work God has given me to do?

Do I believe in prayer?

Do I believe that I should be in unity with others who profess to love God?

Do I believe that I should love my enemies?

The answer to each of these questions – and any other questions you dare ask yourself – is not a verbal response. The answer is in the action you take regarding each subject.

People sometimes say they don’t live up to their beliefs. I beg to differ. We may not live up to our professed beliefs, but we always live according to what we actually believe.

Don’t worry about the dinosaurs. But start tomorrow by showing your belief in the God you profess.

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples…” Jesus, John 8:31